Short Description

Description

CONTAINING A BOTANICAL, GENERAL, AND MEDICAL HISTORY, OF MEDICINAL PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO THE UNITED STATES. ILLUSTRATED BY

COLOURED ENGRAVINGS, MADE AFTER DRAWINGS FROM NATURE, DONE BY THE AUTHOR.

BY WILLIAM P. C. BARTON, M. D. Surgeon in the Navy of the United States, and of the Hospital for Marines at the Navy-Yard, Philadelphia ; Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; Member of the American Philosophical Society ; President of the Philadelphia Linnean Society ; and

PROFESSOR OF BOTANY in the University of Pennsylvania,

SECOND EDITION.

VOLUME I.

PHILADELPHIA : IL C. CAREY & I. LEA—CHESNUT STREET 1825.

Miesou Bl

BoiAWlCAi»

BARP6Ü LIBRA«»

DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO WIT : ; J; ¡5 *••»•••

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twelfth day of August, in the forty-second year Of the Independence of the United States of America, WILLIAM P. C. BARTON of the said District, hath deposited in this Office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the following words—to wit: Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States; or Medical Botany : containing a Botanical, General, and Medical History of Medicinal Plants, indigenous to the United States. Illustrated by Coloured Engravings, made after drawings from nature, done by the Author. By William P. C. Barton, M. D. Surgeon in the Navy of the United States, and of the Hospital for Marines at the Navy-Yard, Philadelphia ; Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia ; Member of the American Philosophical Society ; President of the Philadelphia Linnean Society; and Professor of Botany in the University of Pennsylvania. Volume I. "In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, An act for ! the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the ' authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned."—And also to 'the Act, entitled, "An act supplementary to an Act, entitled, "An Act for the encourage1 ment of Learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pro* prietorsof such copies during the times therein mentioned," and extending the benefits there' of, to the Arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the. District of Pennsylvania.

TO

JOHN SYNG DORSET, M. D. MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY; AND OF THE ROYAL DANISH MEDICAL SOCIETY AT COPENHAGEN: ONE OF THE SURGEONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL; ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, AND PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

My dear Sir, Work.

Permit me to inscribe to you the first Volume of this To no one more properly could it be dedicated.

Should you be enabled to render it subservient to the interest of that branch of Medicine which it is your province to teach, 1 feel confident you will not withhold from it your patronage* f avail myself of this opportunity to express for you, my high consideration and personal regard. WILLIAM P. C. BARTON. JbtgUSt 12, 1817.

ADVERTISEMENT

In describing the plants enumerated and figured in this work^ the following plan has been adopted : The first line in large capitals, contains the systematic or botanical name of the plant ; the second line in smaller capitals, contains the common or most general English or vulgar name or names. The English or vulgar names enumerated after, are those by which the plant is occasionally known, and recognized in different sections of our country ; and as these are sometimes quite local, they are merely noticed for general information. The paragraph following these names, contains a reference to the works of different authors who have noticed the plant. Many have been omitted, because the author had not access to them, and some, because their works were not scientific. The generic character follows, together with a reference of the plant to the natural system of Jussieu ; the natural order of Linnseus's natural method; and the class and order of the artificial system of this author.

Viii

ADVERTISEMENT.

Immediately in succession, the best specific character known, is given, with a reference to the author? The synonyms next follow, succeeded by a brief notice of the pharmaceutical preparation of the plant, its virtues, its effects, medical uses and dose. The descriptio uberior^ or full description, in Lathi, is always supplied for this work by the author, or quoted from his manuscript copy of the Flora Philadelphica ; though in cases where a good one has already been given, it will be quoted, with a reference to the author, as in the case of that of Chimaphila umbellata. The text in large type, begins with a general or familiar description of the plant, calculated for the generality of readers, who, with this and the plate, will be, it is hoped, at no loss to identify the plants described. The chemical analysis, when any has been made, follows ; then a history of the medical properties ; after which the ceconomical use or uses are noticed ; and the history completed by an explanation of the plates, and the dissections of the flowers and fructification contained in them.

VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA OF THE

UNITED STATES.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. SINCE the writings of Cullen, Murray, and "Woodville appeared in Europe, few authors of any celebrity have written on the Materia Medica. Consequently few discoveries were published of any note, or which added any thing very important to the science ; and thirty years ago the knowledge these authors communicated to the world, was not enriched by the addition of a single valuable medicine from North America. About the year 1786, a German physician, named Shœpf* visited our country, and employed himself in collecting materials for an American Materia Medica. It cannot be supposed that * Dr. Shœpf, of Erlangen, in Germany, was a botanist, who came to this countrv with the German troops during the revolutionary war. VOL. I.

2

m

\

Preliminary Observations.

in a country like ours, rich in the production of new and curious plants, domestic medicine would be neglected by the natives or inhabitants ; or that the practitioner who might think proper to employ indigenous medicinal plants in his practice, would stand in need of useful remedies. Accordingly we find, that not only the Indians oí" our country, and the European inhabitants who emigrated hither, but the farmers who were scattered over its extensive territory, had long been in the habit of curing the common diseases incidental to their state of life, by means of indigenous vicinal plants. Many of the vegetables thus employed had considerable reputation. It is not unlikely that some were undeservedly praised, while it would be unreasonable to suppose that all of those which had acquired repute, were undeserving attention. Dr. Shcepf, however, set himself assiduously to investigate all such plants as were reputed to possess medicinal powere ; and, satisfying himself, by ocular proof, of the real species in question, he was enabled, by ascertaining their botanical characters and history, to present us with some certain facts for future experiment. In 1787, he published the result of his labours in a small work, entitled Materia Medica Americana potissimum Regni Vegetabilis. This performance laid the foundation of all the information we now possess, concerning our native medicinal plants. Besides this work, a paper was published in the Amœnitates Academic», (vol. iv. Dissertatio LXXII. p. 522.) entitled Specifica Canadensium, in which Coelln, the author, enumerated and described some few indigenous medicinal plants. On the 21st of February, 1798, the late professor Burton read a paper before the Philadelphia 2

Preliminary Observations.

\i

Medical Society, entitled " Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United States." This paper contains a summaiy of all that had been done by those who preceded him, relative to our Materia Medica ; and also an addition of several articles which, from information received by the author concerning their properties, he deemed sufficiently important to be ranked among our native medicines. In the year 1804, the professor published a second part of the " Collections," containing many additional facts relative to the plants enumerated in the first part, and a brief notice of some other important vegetables of active properties. These " Collections" are carelessly thrown together ; and it is to be regretted, without even sufficient method, to render them useful. In this state they have gone through three editions, making in the last an octavo of 120 pages. The plants enumerated, are spoken of merely by their names, and the work is destitute of any kind of description calculated to assist the country physician or botanist. The travels of Lewis and Clarke led to high expectations in every branch of science. The observations and inquiries of these gentlemen, particularly the former, were directed, among other things, to the medicines and aliments of our Indians ; and they have given a large portion of information of a very interesting nature on these points. Unfortunately however for science, this information is not communicated in such a way, as to enable the botanist, the physician, or the agriculturist, to draw very efficiently upon the extensive sources of

xii

Prelimiîiary Observations,

knowledge they present. A want of accurate descriptions of mixed medicinal and alimentary plants, deprives us of half the value of their discoveries. Except these publications, there has appeared but little on the Materia Medica, in the United States. In the American Dispensatory, published by professor Coxe, many of our medicinal vegetables are incorporated with the foreign articles of medicine. This valuable work has given considerable importance to the native plants enumerated in it ; besides which professor Barton added such as he esteemed most useful, to his edition of " Cullen's Materia Medica." Dr. Thatcher's Dispensatoiy contains also an enumeration of some of our native medicines, but nothing more than those which stand in the works of professors Barton and Coxe just mentioned ; and in the little Pharmacopoeia published by the Massachusetts Medical Society, a few are noticed. In professor Chapman's " Discourses on the Elements of Therapeutics and Materia Medica" now in the press, the prominent indigenous articles are, I understand, treated of ; and the same importance attached to them which that gentleman was accustomed to give in his Lectures on the Materia Medica, to all useful native medicines. The University of Pennsylvania is annually filled by a numerous train of pupils, many of whom settle and practice physic in the

Preliminary Observations.

xiii

wilds of our country- The author supposed that a work describing our own medicinal productions, emanating from the school, whither they resort, would be likely to disseminate a knowledge of the properties and uses of our native medicines, in those parts of our country where such knowledge is highly serviceable. From a close attention to our Materia Medica, and from some experiments he has recently made, he is convinced that not a few of our indigenous plants are sufficiently important, to be introduced into the daily practice of physicians. The well known deterioration of many foreign medicines in common use, renders it still more desirable to supersede them by the general employment of native productions. Hitherto this has been impracticable, owing to the want of some certain means of particularising those plants, the properties of which are most valuable. Good medicines have fallen into disrepute, from the resemblance of inert to active plants ; and although there is Jtfways something in a plant which distinguishes it from every other vegetable, yet the discrepancy is occasionally so equivocal, that common observers are wholly unable to profit by it without a good drawing. This will not appear surprising, when it is remembered that even botanists are sometimes perplexed with the close alliances in the habit and structure of plants. The exposition of these circumstances is sufficient to show the importance of presenting the public with a Work containing a full description and history of the native medicinal plants which have been

xiv

Preliminary Obsemations.

introduced by their names, and some few remarks on their properties, into the works already noticed ; and to enable every one to identify the precise plants described, good coloured engravings of them are indispensable. The author of the following pages has undertaken the task of drawing and describing all the important plants of a medicinal character, native to the United States, which are known ; and also of figuring and describing many never before noticed for medical properties. In all the drawings, many of which are already finished, the greatest accuracy will be studied ; and with a view to render the work as correct as possible, the author encounters the laborious task of colouring all the plates with his own hand. Since faithful colouring is nearly as important in a work of this nature, as correct drawiags, he trusts that the usefulness of the undertaking will be enhanced by this part of his labour. In the history of the plants nothing will be omitted, which can render the work interesting. Three years have been passed in collecting materials for this work. The author has already delivered three courses of public lectures to the medical students of the University of Pennsylvania, on the plants which will be described ; and he announced to the members of his class, in May, 1816, his intention of publishing the system of Indigenous Vegetable Materia Medica, of which he now presents the first number.

Preliminary Observations.

xv

As it is probable that country practitioners of medicine residing in different parts of the United States, are possessed of much useful information, derived from experience, concerning our native medicines, the author earnestly solicits communications on this subject. Due credit will always be given for any facts on good authority, communicated in this manner. The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania having recently purchased forty-two acres of rich and watered land, near to Philadelphia, for the establishment of a Botanic Garden : physicians residing in the different parts of our country, who have it in their power, will contribute materially to this institution, by transmitting to the author, seeds or roots of such plants as they have found possessed of active medicinal virtues. Philadelphia^ July 1. 1817.

Dogwood is so common throughout the United States, that it is well known to most people. It is the largest tree of its genus, and indeed attains such an height, that it is described by Michaux the

Cornus florida.

tö

younger, in his elegant work on the forest trees oi North America. Its wood, its flowers, and its bark, the latter entitling it to a place in this work, render it an extremely interesting tree. The name bj which it is generally known throughout the United States, is that ol Dogwood ; it is recognised less frequently by that of Boxwood. But it is also known in different states, and even in different parts of the same state, by the various other names enumerated at the head of this article. Michaux f. in the work alluded to. informs us. that in the state of Massachusetts, between the 42d and 43d degrees of latitude, the Dogwood is first observed ; and that it is afterwards found without interruption in all the eastern and western states, as well a^ in the Floridas as far as the Mississippi. He remarks that in all this tract of country, it is the most abundant of all the arborescent vegetables ; but that it is comparatively most plenty in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, wherever the soil is new, unequal and gravelly. More to the south, in the two Carolinas, Georgia, and the Floridas, it is only seen on the borders of marshes, and not in the pine-barrens, where the soil is too sandy and arid for it to grow. In the more fertile portions of Kentucky, and the eastern section of Tennessee, it does not grow abundantly among the forest trees, but is only found where the soil is stony and indifferent.* According to Michaux, the Cornus florida sometimes attains the height of 30 and 35 feet, and a diameter of 9 and 10 inches. It is usually. • Michaux, fil. Arbres Forest.

46

Cornus florida.

however, 18 or 20 feet high, by 4 or 5 inches in diameter. The trunk is strong, invested with a rough blackish bark, which is tolerably thick, and very much separated into fissures or cracks. The branches are numerous, spreading, and disposed regularly ; being sometimes opposite to each other, and occasionally arising by fours. Michaux remarks, that the younger branches take a semicircular direction upwards. The leaves are about three inches in length ; opposite, oval, entire, acuminated, slightly glaucous or whitish underneath, and presenting on their upper surface many conspicuous ridges. Towards the end of summer they become speckled with black dots, and on the approach of winter turn to a dull red colour. Michaux informs us, that in the states of New York and New Jersey, the flowers of this tree are fully opened about the tenth or fifteenth of May, at which time the leaves only begin to be developed. In Pennsylvania the tree is in full bloom about the 15th of May, in ordinary seasons. It flowers very regularly ; so much so, that it is said by the late Professor Barton,* that formerly " some of our southern tribes were accustomed to name the spring season from its flowering." The flowers are terminal on the little branches. They are small, of a greenish yellow colour, and aggregated in numbers. They are garnished with an involucre from three to four inches large, which surrounds them. This involucre is composed of four large obcordate folioles, of a fleshy or coriaceous texture. They are white, sometimes tinged witli violet. The outer extremity of each foliole is notched, having the appearance of disease or injury. The notches * * Collections," &c.

Cornus florida.

47

are purplish, or dusky rose coloured. 1 have understood that there is an individual variety of this tree in the woods near Philadelphia, having bright red or rose coloured involucres. This variety, which I have not seen, must be an exceedingly magnificent tree, and highly ornamental. It is to the large involucres that the flowers of this cornel owe their character for elegance. When Dogwood is in full flower, it is a strikingly beautiful tree, and very ornamental to the forests ; the more so from the early period of its flowering. The calix is monophyllus, small, and four-toothed. It is deciduous, never continuing until the berries are ripe. The corolla is composed of four petals. The stamens are four in number, and equal. Pistil one, consisting of a roundish germ, beneath. The style filiform, and nearly the length of the corolla. Stigma obtuse. The flowers are succeeded by oblong berries, of a rich, shining, crimson or carmine colour ; always collected together to the number of three and four, as has been re marked by Micliaux, and as I also have often observed. They are ripe about the middle of September ; and are then eagerly devoured by different birds, such particularly as the Turdus migratorius, or Robin ; the Turdus rufus. or Thrush: and I have sometimes seen the rare bird called Woodthrush, Turdus minor, employed busily in eating them. It must be a food peculiarly grateful to this melodious little songster, to induce it to leave its favourite and almost constant haunts, the summits of the tallest forest trees.

»

Cornus florida.

48

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS.

From the chemical investigation of the properties of the cornels, made by Dr. Walker,* it appears : that upon distilling equal quantities of the pulverised bark of the root of Cornus florida and sericea, and of red Peruvian bark, a fluid was obtained from the latter, differing from that procured by the two former in no respect, but in possessing a flavour, not aromatic, but peculiar to the bark. The fluid was clear and transparent. It appears further, that upon subjecting these materials to a second distillation, the fluids obtained had a more disagreeable smell than those from the first, and a taste somewhat acerb. The fluid yielded by the Corni acquired a lemon colour; that from the Peruvian Bark was tinged with red. The following results are given by Dr. Walker, of the changes which took place upon testing these different fluids: The fluid distilled from With litmus paper.

Oxy-sulphate.

Ace. Lead.

Carb. Alumen.

'Corn. flor. Red.

Black.

Precipitate.

Effervescence.

the Corn. sen. Red.

Black.

Precipitate.

Effervescence.

Brown.

Precipitate.

Slight Effervescence.

[Cort. Peru. Red.

* Inaugural Dissertation, p. 24 and 25.

Comus florida.

49

The inference deduced from this experiment is. that gallic acid is contained in the three substances used, and that it exists in greater quantity in the Corni than in the Bark. The gallic acid also comeover in distillation, in an uncombined state. A deeoction of the bark of the root of Cornus florida, yields by evaporation, a gum-like mass. Two drams of this gum were obtained by Dr. Walker, from seven and an half ounces of the decoction. With a view to ascertain the constituent parts of this mass, the doctor " macerated two drams in successive quantities of alcohol, until the last portion ceased to be changed in colour and taste ; this, like the former portions, was separated from the gum by the filter ; after the gum was dried upon the filter it was collected, and weighed only hall* a dram. The dried gum was then dissolved in a small quantity of water. The solution was imperfect, not transparent, nor bright coloured ; if possessed no particular taste, which might not be ascribed to its viscid consistence ; and it produced no change of colour with a solution of the oxy-sulphate of iron." Suspecting, from the want of transparency, that there might be some mucilage in the solution, the doctor ;i added in small portions, diluted sulphuric acid to the solution ; a precipitate slowly fell to the bottom in a coagulated form. When the precipitation had ceased, it was separated from the solution by the filter, and evaporated to dryness, at the same time with the solution. By weighing each residuum, the mucilage was detected in the proportion of three to five ; that is, eighteen grains of çum. and twelve of mucilage."* Observing the solution to turn dark by * Inaugural Dissertation, p. 24 and 25.

VOL. I.

7

50

Cornus florida.

the addition of the acid, Dr. Walker inferred that the want of transparency in the gummy solution, was not entirely owing to the presence of the mucilage ; but " to the fine powder of the medicine. Which the viscidity of the fluid suspended and concealed ; and probably the change of colour noticed above, was owing to the carbonation of these particles by the acid."* The Cornus florida contains more extract and gum, than the Peruvian bark, and is more soluble in water ; while the latter, containing more resin, is more easily soluble in alcohol. The powder of the bark of Cornus florida is more miscible in water than that of the Cinchona, for the same reason.f It appears from a summary of Dr. Walker's experiments, that the Dogwood and Peruvian Bark possess the same ingredients: gum, mucilage, and extract ; and that the last contains the gallic acid, and tannin, though in different proportions. The Dogwood possesses most of the gum, mucilage and extract ; and the Peruvian Bark, the most resin. The extract and resin possess all their active virtues ; the extract all their tonic power. The resin when separated from the extract is stimulant only ; and probably the tonic power of the extract is increased, when combined with a portion of the resin, as in the spirituous tincture.$

MEDICAL PROPERTIES.

The similarity between the Dogwood and the Peruvian bark, in their sensible qualities, their chemical analysis, and their action on * Inaugural Diss. p. 25

f Ibid. p. 28.

• Ibid. p. 29.

Cornus florida.

5i

the incised and dead fibre, (as shown in the experiments of Dr. Walker,) sufficiently proves an identity in their medicinal effects. And actual experience with the bark of the Cornus florida, by mam physicians, entitles it to be ranked among the best tonics of outcountry. As early as the year 1787, Shœpf was acquainted with the medicinal virtues of this tree ; and he speaks of it as a bitter and a tonic, as well as of its use in intermittent fevers. The bark is likewise astringent. Dogwood is also a stimulant ; for according to Dr. Walker's experiments, the internal use of it always rendered the pulse quicker than natural, and often fuller and stronger.* Professor Barton remarks, speaking of the two cornels ; " I can add but little from my own experience concerning the application of these two species of Cornus to the cure of diseases. I believe, however. that it may, with entire safety, be asserted, that as yet we have not discovered within the limits of the United States, any vegetables which have been found so effectually to answer the purpose of the Peruvian bark, in the management of intermittent fevers, as the Cornus florida and Cornus sericea."t It appears from the account given by the late Dr. Amos Gregg of Bristol, of the use of the Dogwood in decoction, that it produced pain in the bowels, which however was readily relieved by a few drops of laudanum. He believed this property of inducing pain was confined to the article in its recent state ; and he further observes, that lie never found it to disagree with the stomach, by exciting cathartic or emetic effects, after it was * Inaugural Diss. p. 46

-j- » Collections," Sec.

52

Comas florida.

a year collected. Dr. Gregg says he £i used the Dogwood twentythree years, during which time he found its virtue such as to convince him it was not inferior to the Peruvian bark in curing intermittents, nor inferior as a corroborant, in all cases of debility."* He gave the powder in doses of thirty-five grains. This quantity he found equal to thirty grains of the Peruvian bark. In some cases he combined the Dogwood with the Virginian snake-root, in the proportion of thirty grains of the former and six of the latter ; repeated every half hour for two days. He concludes his communication to Dr. Walker with this observation : " I have often used the Dogwood joined with Gentian, Columbo, Chamomile, and with Aromatics in bitters, and have found it equal to the Peruvian bark, and therefore conclude it is a valuable medicine."f Dogwood has also been used in combination with the bark of the Liriodendron tulipifera, or tulip-tree, both in decoction and in substance. The bark of the root, stem, and smaller branches, is used. That of the root is by some thought most efficacious. An infusion of the ripe berries in spirit has been used in intermittent fevers. We learn that our Indians use an infusion of the flowers for the same purpose ; hence we may infer, that these are possessed of the same tonic property as the bark. This infusion of the flowers has been recommended in flatulent colic ; and Dr. Barton says he has used it as a tea.J The Professor also mentions from the information of the Rev. Dr. Nicholas * Walker's Inaugural Diss. p. 49. - Barton's Collections.

T

Inaug. Diss. p. 49.

Cornus florida.

53

Collin, of Philadelphia, that in an intermittent fever which prevailed in West Jersey, about thirty years ago, the bark of the Dogwood was found more useful than the Peruvian bark. It was used in decoction. Dr. Barton upon this subject makes this remark : " 1 must candidly confess, however, that I have heard of more instances of the failure of this cornel than of the Peruvian bark. But lias any vegetable,'' he continues, " so completely prevented the recurrence of the paroxisms of intermittents as the last mentioned one."* Michaux in his work on the forest trees of North America, has noticed the medicinal properties of this tree. He speaks of the liber or inner bark being a fine bitter, and veiy useful in intermittent fevers. The taste of Dogwood, like that of the other medicinal species, is " a more simple and agreeable bitter than the Peruvian bark ; it has nevertheless considerable austerity combined with it ; the decoction possesses most of the latter, and the hot triturated infusion the next. The decoction and hot infusion are less elegant preparations. The hot menstruum holds in suspension some of the line powder, which is not entirely deposited by cooling, nor in passing through the fil-

From all the information I can collect on this subject, and no indigenous plant has excited more attention, I am disposed to believe : that as a tonic, the powdered bark of Cornus florida, is well en* M Collections," &c.

] Walker's Inaug. Diss. p. 23.

54

Cornus florida.

titled to the notice of physicians ; and it certainly may be safely recommended as a good substitute for the cinchona, particularly as that which now fills the shops, is seldom genuine, but adulterated by oakbark, and frequently altogether a fictitious acticle. I have never used the Dogwood, in any form as a medicine, and therefore call the attention of our physicians to it, entirely on the authority of those ' who have written on the article, and frequently employed it. I know it is much used in different parts of the United States, and I have uniformly heard its virtues commended. Its superior miscibility or solubility in water, to the Peruvian bark, may occasionally render its use more convenient than this last substance.

(ECONOMICAL USES.

The wood of the Cornus florida is of a very fine texture, hard, compact, heavy, exceedingly durable, and susceptible of a beautiful polish. Hence it is much used by cabinet-makers and joiners, for ornamental inlaying. The sap is white, and the heart chocolate colour. This wood answers very well for plane-stocks, squares, two-foot rules, mallets, and for the handles of gimlets, gauges, hand-chissels, and other light tools. Indeed its properties so nearly resemble those of box-wood, that it may be profitably substituted for it in almost all its common uses ; and in these it is improved in appearance by a faint stain of yellow dye. This gives it the exact resemblance of box. I have no doubt, that if it were felled at the proper time, and well-seasoned, it would answer extremely well for

Cornus florida.

55

flageolets, fifes, childrens' whistles, and all the humbler kinds oi wind-instruments. Michaux remarks that for whatever purpose it may be destined, it should not be worked up till thoroughly dry : otherwise it is apt to split. The moderate size of the tree will always circumscribe the employment of its wood, to the valions nem I have mentioned. Michaux, who has so industriously inquired into the ceconomical uses of the wood of our forest trees, says some farmers make the teeth of their harrows, and the fastenings of the collars of their horses, of this wood. That the young shoots, four or five years old, are used for light hoops on little kegs ; but its use in this latter way he says is very limited. That in the middle states they use the wood in mills, for the cogs of the wheels; and in many parts of the country the peasantry make forked collars for their hogs, to keep them from penetrating beyond the fences which enclose the cultivated fields, of the Dogwood, the branches of which are naturally scattered. The wood is excellent for burning, he remarks, but its small size does not render it saleable for this purpose in the large cities.* The wood of the Cornus florida is much used by Dentists, in the insertion of artificial teeth ; and the young branches stripped of their bark, and rubbed with their ends against the teeth, rentier them extremely white. The creóle negroes who inhabit Norfolk in Vir• Arbres Forest.

56

Cornus florida.

t

ginia, in great numbers, are in the constant practice of substituting the Dogwood twigs, for a West India shrub, in cleansing their teeth. The striking whiteness of these, which I have frequently observed, is a proof of the efficacy of the practice. The application of the juice of these twigs to the gums, is also useful in preserving them hard and sound. The powdered bark of Dogwood makes a good ink, which was used by Dr. Walker, in writing his thesis. The following is the formula. 1 2 2 16

The ripe berries infused in spirit or brandy, afford an excellent wine-bitter, for common purposes,* and as a morning bitter. A decoction of the bark of Dogwood has been employed with good effect in a malignant fever, called the « yellow water," " Canada distemper," §c. which, within the last twelve years has earned off a great number of horses in the United States.f * Barton's Collections

-f Ibid.

Cornus florida.

TABLE II.

Fig. i. Represents a flowering twig of Dogwood, at which time the young leaves are small. Fig. 2. The fruit and leaves of autumn. Fig. 3. A single flower, with stamens, petals, and calix. Fig. 4. The calix and pistil.

I AM indebted to Mr. Nuttall for the pleasure I experience in presenting the medical world, with a figure of this interesting plant. The drawing has been made with much care, from tine specimens k

*

*

• -9ÊT.

72

Gillenia stipulacea.

received from him, which he collected in the vicinity of Cincinnati in Ohio. To botanists I trust the figure will be acceptable, since this second well characterised species, fully establishes the validity of Moenich's genus, Gillenia, and will justify me in restoring it. Neither Michaux nor Muhlenberg has noticed the plant ; it was first described by Willdenow, whom Pursh has quoted. The late Professor Barton observes in his " Collections," speaking of the Spiraea trifoliata, " it is said that there grows in the state of Kentucky another species, which is still more valuable, as an emetic, than the S. trifoliata."* The plant here figured, is, without doubt, the one alluded to by Dr. Barton. That this is the fact, sufficiently appears from the account Mr. Nuttall gives of it ; and also from a rude sketch evidently of the stipulacea, now in my possession, made with a pen, by the late Rev. Dr. J. P. Campbell of Lexington, Kentucky, who has added the English name, Indian-physic, and called the plant spiraea trifoliata. There is no doubt that the two species have been heretofore generally confounded under the specific appellation trifoliata, by the American botanists, and indiscriminately used by physicians in the country ; though it would seem by Dr. Barton's remark, that the circumstance of another species existing in the Western States, had been communicated to him, with the assurance that this was the more valuable. Their strong resemblance to each other, may readily account for the indiscriminate use of both, under one common name. Vol.

*

Gillenia stipulacea.

î .i

Gillenia stipulacea has a root, according to Dr. Campbell's •sketch, corroborated by Mr. Nuttall's description of it, precisely similar to the root of G. trifoliata represented in table 5, fig. 2; and what has been said of the root of that plant in the preceding article, may be applied to this one. It is of course perennial. Mr. Nuttall informs me that the whole plant is much taller, and more bushy than G. trifoliata; and sends up a vast number of stems from each root. The stems are brownish, branched at the top, and bear the flowers on long slender peduncles, in the form of a lax corymbose panicle. The upper leaves of the stems, and those of the branches, are ternate, lanceolate, cut-serrate, and nearly equal. Those approaching the bottom are deeply incised, and the segments cut-serrate ; the lowest leaves are pinnatifid, and of a reddishbrown colour. The stipules resemble leaves : arc ovate, acuminate, deeply serrate, and unequal at the base. The serratures of the stipules of the branches, are more deeply, and more irregularly cut than those of the cauline stipules. The flowers are smaller than those of G. trifoliata, and the calix is simply campanulate. being abruptly terminated at its union with the peduncle, and not inflated in the middle, nor attenuated at its base, like the calix of G. trifoliata. The following account of the geographical range of this species of Indian-physic, I quote from a memorandum given me by Mr. Nuttall: VOL. I.

10

74

Gülenia stipulacea.

"Gillenia stipulacea begins to appear south-westward on the high gravelly banks of the Ohio, soon after passing the confluence* of the Muskingum. Here we no more meet with the G. trifoliata of the mountains and the eastern states, which it so much resembles, as to be almost uniformly confounded with it by most of the western botanists ; continuing along the whole course of the Ohio we also find it, occupying the soils and situations of G. trifoliata throughout the Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana, where I first became acquainted with it, in the neighbourhood of St. Louis. It does not, however, continue far up the Missouri. Its medicinal properties are, it may be presumed, very similar to those of the G. trifoliata ; and it is probably the only species made use of by the western physicians." The G. stipulacea, according to the remarks on the sketch made by Dr Campbell, is found in "Virginia, most abundantly in the woods west-south-west of Parkersburg. Fifteen miles west of Marietta, on the Athens road, it commences, and abounds in company with a great abundance of Columbo;" (I presume, Frasera verticillata,) "also at Bellville." G. stipulacea flowers in June. The variety marked ß. incisa by Pursh, and which he describes "foliis ternatis, foliolis pinnatifidis inciso-dentatis," I strongly suspect to be nothing more than the lower portions of our plant ; and

Gillenia suputa cea.

75

I venture this opinion, from an accurate examination of the specimens from which I made the figure. No. 2, ¿he lower portion of the plant, evidently fits the above description of the supposed variety. In all probability, the tendency of the leaves to become pinnatiiid. occasionally extends further: and I should not doubt, that when there exists such amorphous shapes in the foliage, the whole plant would sometimes partake of the character of the lower leaves represented in the plate. There is but little doubt that this plant is sufficiently hard) to endure transplanting; and it might readily be propagated, I should suppose, by a separation of the roots. It will be of some consequence, however, in cultivating it, to bear in mind its natural soil, as noticed in the preceding page. Both this, and the other species of Gillenia. are important medicinal plants; and as one or the other is found in almost every state in the union, physicians and apothecaries in the country, would find it to their advantage to collect it for use. as well as for sale in the shops. MEDICAL PROPERTIES.

What has been said by Schoepf, Barton, and others who have quoted them, concerning the virtues and doses of Spirœa trifoliata, is applicable to the G. stipulacea, for reasons »bofe given. The bark of the root is used; and the roots should be collected in September.

76

Gillenia stipulacea.

after the tops have died. The dose is the same as that of G. trifoliata ; though perhaps a smaller quantity would answer.

TABLE VI.

Fig. 1. Represents the upper portion of Gillenia stipulacea. 2. The lower portion. 3. The calix. 4. The same opened, showing the stamens. 5. A petal, with a view to show its shape. 6. The pistil, showing the five styles.

short, inclined, pointed, compressed, and two-edged, inserted into the common receptacle of the pistils below the germens ; anthers terminal, linear, of two cells, bursting longitudinally at the inner side.

persons are well acquainted with the fragrant flowers of the Little Magnolia ; and notwithstanding the many fine trees of this superb genus, the present species is by far the most general favourite. The generic name was given by Plumier, in honour of Peter Magnol, Botanical Professor at Montpelier. MOST

g i»

Magnolia glauca.

The Magnolia glauca,* though in general only a small tree, sometimes attains the height of forty feet ; and a diameter of twelve or fourteen inches. It is in the southern states, particularly the Carolinas, that it reaches this, its greatest elevation. Its most common height is from twenty to thirty feet, and in the vicinage of Philadelphia, on the Jersey side of the Delaware, it is a much lower tree, frequently flowering luxuriantly, when it has reached a height of five or six feet. Michaux, f. says that this is also the case in the environs of New York. 1 have no where seen it producing mature flowers at so humble a stature, as it does near Christiana, or as it is vulgarly called, Christine, on the road from Philadelphia to Baltimore ; where I have observed clusters of this Magnolia in full flower, the largest individual among which, did not exceed four feet in height, and all of them much more deserving the appellation of bushes or shrubs than trees. The variation in the height of this species, is much influenced by local exposure and peculiarity of soil. I have seen trees of the greatest discrepancy in stature, but precisely alike in respect to the size of the leaves, flowers, and fruit, occupying almost the same ground. The difference in these instances, appeared merely owing to accidental situation ; the small ones occupying the shad) thickets, and the taller trees, the skirts of woods. The trunk is covered with a smooth grayish bark ; is tortuous, and much divided into divaricating branches. The wood is whitish. * This species appears to have been the first of its genus introduced into the gardens of England, having been cultivated by Bishop Compton, at Fulham, in 1688.

Magnolia glauca.

8J

and very light. It is not, so far as I know, employed for any useful purpose. It is known sometimes by the name of castor-wood, or beaver-tree, which indicates that the beaver makes use of it in some way. In all probability it is employed by those sagacious animals, for posts in the construction of their dikes, on account of its levity. which enables them to carry it to convenient places; and from its softness, they can fell it without difficulty. The bark serves them for food during the winter, in times of scarcity, or the prevalence of severe weather or high floods, either of which confínes them to their habitations. The leaves of this tree are five or six inches long, and alternately disposed on the branches. They are of a long oval form, entire, thick, opaque, of a deep yellowish-green colour on their upper surface, and glaucous or bluish-white underneath. This agreeable green, relieved by the frequent presentation of the blue under side, exhibits a pleasing contrast in the leaves. Though at all times the. foliage of this tree is comely, it appears to much mere advantage during the inflorescence, from the harmony of colouring produced by the handsome cream-coloured flowers. The leaves fall in the Autumn of every year, and are reproduced in the Spring, at which season they are of a much lighter tone of colour than when further advanced. The flowers are terminal, and solitary: and about the size and shape of half a goose's egg. They are composed of many oval, con-

82

Magnolia glauca.

cave cream-coloured petals ; and exhale a subtile, bland, and to most persons, delicious odour. This renders them so universally agreeble, that at the period of their maturity, the women and children in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia and New York, resort in great numbers to the swamps where they grow, and cull them to vend in the markets. The flowering twigs are put up in bunches, and sold for a cent or two cents each, and are eagerly purchased to decorate the mantels and chimney-places, in the houses of all ranks of people. The market-places are perfumed at this season, with the spicy scent, for wliich these flowers are so remarkable. They are familiarly known in our market, by the name of Magnolia, and rarely by the appellation of Small Magnolia. The emanation from the flowers is extremely penetrating. To some persons it is rather unpleasant, and to a few, insupportable ; producing uneasiness in the chest, and a tendency to fainting. The late Dr. Barton imputed to tins odour, the power of increasing the pain of inflammatory gout, and occasioning an exacerbation of a diurnal fever. I cannot help suspecting this opinion to have been much influenced by the imagination, though I by no means deny these sweet flowers a considerable degree of activity ; and perhaps in a close room they might produce slight headache in delicate persons, or even occasion fainting where idiosincrasy exists in the constitution. I really believe, however, that these flowers are frequently accused of effects which they have had no share in producing: and the almost universal estimation in which they are held, sufficiently proves their general innocence.

O

Magnolia glauca.

fe.-t

The flowers are succeeded by little fleshy squamous cones, about an inch in length, and three-quarters of an inch in diameter. They are of a green colour, with occasionally a tinge of red, as represented in the plate. Each cone is composed of numerous cells. of about twelve or eighteen lines in length. They contain the seeds, which are of a bright scarlet colour. They force their way. when matured, by rupturing, longitudinally, the sides of their chambers, and thus escape. Previously to falling, they are suspended for some days, by a delicate white filamentous thread, which allows them to hang just below the base of the cone ; and by their beautiful contrast with the green scally strobile, produce a very pleasing effect. The seeds are about the size of a grain of Guinea-corn, irregularly roundish, and somewhat narrowed above. There are two varieties of this tree. One called the broadleaved Magnolia, with deciduous oval-oblong, and somewhat obtuse leaves; the other denominated the long-leaved Magnolia, having persistent, elliptical, long and narrow lea\. acute at the apex and base. This last is a taller tree than the first variety, and the branches are more upright. Pursh says it is this variety which is known by the names of Swamp-Sassafras, Sweet-Bay, Swamp-Laurel, and Beaver-wood. It is the broad-leaved variety which is indigenous in our vicinity. The other is more common to the south. I have heard the Magnolias in the vicinity of this city discriminated by the two appellations of Upland Magnolia, and Lowland Magnolia: and it is currently believed, that the variety designated by the latter

84

Magnolia glauca.

epithet, will not bear transplanting into our gardens. I suspect the fancied difference is nothing more than one existing perhaps in the constitution, (if I may be allowed such an expression,) of the individual trees, arising from accidental situation in a dry or moist soil. Those found thriving in a comparatively dry spot, will in all probability stand the best chance of living after transplantation. The fact is, however, that this species of Magnolia, is shy of cultivation ; and the frequent failure of attempts to cultivate it, while at the same time some individuals are occasionally found to thrive, induces people to seek for the cause, in a difference of species, or in a variety. The northernmost range of the Small Magnolia, is Cape Anne, in the State of Massachusetts, in latitude 45° 50'.* It is pretty frequent in the lower part of New Jersey, but more abundant further south. According to Michaux, f. this tree is the most common inhabitant of all the lower maritime parts of the middle states, as well as of Florida and the lower portion of Louisiana. It is never met with at any considerable distance in the interior ; and it is not seen in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, more than thirty or forty miles beyond the cities of New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.f In the Carolinas and Georgia, its range is restricted to the geographical limits of the pines, as indicated by Michaux, who remarks, that he never remembers to have seen it in • Michaux, Arbres Forest.

: Idem.

Magnolia glauca.

85

the upper parts of these states, nor in those situated to the east of the mountains. In the lower portions of New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and more to the south, the Magnolia glauca is never seen except near marshes, bogs, and sphagnous swamps, w hich are for the greater portion of the year so lull of water as to be impassable. Its common companions in these places are, Vaccinium frondosum and Vaccinium amcenum, or swamp whortleberry bushes: different species of Andromeda or bilberry, as A. caliculata, A. Mariana and A. paniculata; Cupressus thyoides, or white cedar, and Vaccinium occycoccos, or American cranberry. The swamps containing this last plant, will seldom be found destitute of the small Magnolia. In the great morasses bordering the rivers of the Carolinas and Georgia, this tree is seldom met with ; while on the other hand, in those extensive marshes which reach in all directions across the pine forests, it constitutes, with the Laurus Caroliniensis, or redbay, and the Gordonia laysianthus, or loblolly-bay, the body of trees which fills these swamps. The miry black soil of these places, which is superincumbent to a stratum of sand, is peculiarly suited to the growth of this tree. In the cities and neighbourhood of Philadelphia and New York, the Magnolia glauca is best known, as has already been hinted, by the names of Magnolia and Small Magnolia. It was formerly recognised by the appellations of swamp-sassafras, and beaver-wood, or beaver-tree ; the latter of which was introduced by the Swedish VOL.

i.

12

86

Magnolia glauca.

emigrants who first settled in this country. These names are nowdisused, and very properly. That of swamp-sassafras is not only incorrect and inappropriate, but leads to confusion. As it is the smallest tree of its genus, it seems to me, the best and most discriminating appellation by which we can designate it, is Small Magnolia. It may not be amiss to notice, that the name of elk-bark arises from the circumstance of its being eaten by the Cervus Wapiti, (of Barton,) or American elk. The name of Indian bark, which is ver) rarely applied to this tree, arises in all probability from the use the Indians make of it in medicine.

MEDICAL PROPERTIES.

The Magnolia glauca belongs to the class of tonic bitters, and is far from being an unimportant article of this useful set of medicines. The bark of the roots of this tree have an aromatic odour and a bitter taste ; and a decoction is said to have been very useful in rheumatic affections.* It is sometimes infused in brandy, by the peasantiy, and they use the tincture in rheumatic affections. It is considered by them as a light sudorific. The inhabitants of the lower part of Jersey, are accustomed also to infuse the cones and the fruit, in rum and whiskey. The liquor of this infusion imbibes a \evy bitter taste, and is considered as a good prophylactic against •Barton's Collections.

ShœpPs Mat. Med.

Magnolia glauca.

87

autumnal fevers. The bark of the tree and branches, forms, by pulverization, an agreeable aromatic tonic-bitter medicine, which has been used in intermittents. It is celebrated among the western Indians, as a remedy for rheumatism and fevers, and they resort to the river Kanhaway, where this Magnolia grows in great abundance, for the purpose of collecting vast quantities of the bark for these uses.* A decoction proves gently cathartic, and terminates its operation by acting as a sudorific. A cold infusion and tincture of the bark, are much used in intermittents. Dr. Barton mentions, that in a case of inflammatory rheumatism it seemed to produce considerable relief, by its sudorific eifect, after blood-letting. Shcepf says a decoction of the bark is useful in " diarrhoea, cough, phthisis, fever, hsemorrhois, autumnal fevers, and internal pains ; that a decoction of the young branches is effectually employed in catarrh and coryza; the seeds in cough and other affections of the breast ; and finally, an ointment made of the carbonized wood and hog's-lard, is good for ulcers."t It will readily be perceived, from this detail of the virtues of our plant, that Shœpf was in some measure favourably biased by the prevalent high estimation in which this species of Magnolia was held ; and he doubtless imputes more medical power to it, than the truth will justify. Yet if his encomiastic account shows on one hand, that he is too lavish of his commendation of its medical virtues, it proves on the other, that as an article of domestic medi• Barton's Collections

tMat

Med

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Am

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9l

-

8&

Magnolia glauca.

cine, it is very variously and very generally employed. This I have also other reasons to believe to be the case. Its almost universal use among the country people who dwell where it grows, as a remedy for autumnal fevers, and other affections, as already mentioned, evinces the probability that it is frequently found efficacious. Therefore it is, that I have assigned it a place in this work, and invite the attention of practitioners to the subject. The dose is about one drachm of the powdered root ; and this quantity may be repeated three or four times in a day. The decoction or infusion, may be taken to any extent that the stomach will bear. The extracts may prove useful in medicine. That produced from the tincture of the bark of the twigs, is soft, dark-coloured, bitter, and gum-resinous. The tincture of the roots yields a soft, dark-coloured, resinous extract, of a bitter, pungent, and resinous taste. A decoction of the bark of the trunk, affords a hard, black, friable, gummy, resinous extract.

{ECONOMICAL. USE.

Like most vegetables endued with aromatic bitter properties, the Small Magnolia is employed in the preparation of morning bitters. The practice M taking what is called a morning dram is too common among the labouring peasantry of our states ; and among the different articles they use for this purpose, no one is

#

Magnolia glauca.

89

more likely to act healthfully than this. The cones and seeds are sometimes used ; but the seeds alone form the most elegant and pleasant bitter. They should be infused in good old spirit, or old rye-whiskey, and digested in the sun for a day or two. It is said that the root is used as a bait to catch the beaver, that animal being fond of it as food. The wood burns indifferently, and of course is never felled for this purpose. The tree may be propagated by seeds ; and it is said, I know not with what foundation, that those sent from this country to Europe, will not vegetate without being passed through the alimentary canal of the turkey.

TABLE VII.

Fig. 1. Represents a flowering twig of the Magnolia glauca, oí its natural size. 2. The cone, showing two seeds which have escaped from their cells, and are suspended in the common way, previously to dropping.

* Tseu is the Chinese name for Musa Paradisiaca, or Plantain tree. This is one of the coincidences in language, which is worthy the attention of the natural historian of America. There are many vestiges of the languages of the Chinese and Tartars, among the tribes of North American Indians. " New Views," and Rogers's Inaug. Diss.

magnificent tree* may be considered not only as the pride and ornament of the American forest, but as the most superb vegetable of the temperate zones. It is equally remarkable for its great height, its" beautiful foliage, its superb flowers, and its handsome wood. The latter is used for an infinite variety of œconomical purposes. THIS